Pruning implement.



PATBNTBD DBO.. 15,',19031 fauna, wAsNlNcroH, D. c.

J. c. REAR-Ns. PRUNING IMPLEMBNR, APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 26, lM03.

N0 MODEL.

r mums PETERS ma` PHD Patented December 15, 1908.

llf-lrrzivfr OFFICE.

JOHN o. KEARNa or' MAITLAND, PENNSYLVANIA.

VPRUNING IMPLEM ENT.

SPEGIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 746,964, dated Dember 15, 1903.

` Application led J une 26, 1903. Serial No. 163276. (No iiiodel.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. KEARNS, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Maitland, in the county of Mifflin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pruning Implements; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain improvements in pruning implements.

It consists of the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved pruning-hook with part of the staff broken away. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the hook and knife. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken on the line m of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the knife, showing its tapering form and its connection to the operating-rod; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged de 'tail-edge -view of the bracket and lever. A

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 is the hook, which, contrary to the usual custom, curves upwardly from the stock, which is preferably secured by bolts or other suitable means to the stad 2. Said stad is provided with a suitable handle 3 upon its opposite end. Said hook has a slot or way la;

therethrough, in which is adapted to move the knife 4, which tapers laterally and longitudinally toward the upper and lateral cutting edges 4a and 4", respectively. The knife isy l with the hook. Said knife is preferably ser- The hook l has a lateral way 1b, in4

gitudinal slot 7c, in which work the ends of the bolt 8, passing through the lever 6 and engaging the end of the operating-rod. Along the inner surface of the bracket is a series of ratchet teeth or cogs 7d. vThe lever 6 is fanshaped at its engaging end and has teeth or cogs 6a meshing with those carried by the' bracket. In connecting the operating-rod to the lever said rod is offset at 5b a short distance above said bracket, and a piece of the same' material is riveted or otherwise secured immediately above this odset portion and has an oifset in the opposite direction, the rod and the piece secured thereto extending down on opposite sides of the bracket and engaging the opposite ends of the bolt 8.

The upper cutting edge 4 of the knife may be used for trimming or cutting small branches or twigs from the trunks or larger .branches by using the tool with an upward jabbing motion.

Other advantages of `my implement are that there is a straight pullv on the knife by theY I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a device of the character described, the combination of a stal, a hook, a knife,a rod connected at one end to said knife, a bracket, having cogs, secured to said sta, a lever having cogs meshing with the cogs of said bracket vand means for connecting said rod to said lever.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a de- ICO the other end of said operating-rod, having gear connection` with a bracket secu red to said 1o stai, substantially as set forth.

` In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN C. KEARNS.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH R. EDsoN, GEO. A.'HU'.roHINsoN. 

